Too springy for me, especially with multi, but if you play well with it, that's what counts. On the plus side you can get incredible spin with it, and I agree it's the most comfortable racquet I ever tried in recent memory.

Too springy for me, especially with multi, but if you play well with it, that's what counts. On the plus side you can get incredible spin with it, and I agree it's the most comfortable racquet I ever tried in recent memory.

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I figure if I can play well with a full job of Sensation, some better strings will really make it come alive.

If you're in the mood to try an obscure string, Alpha Sphere might be worth a shot. It came free with my Alpha stringer, and it's the only sample string I actually played with instead of practicing on old racquets or giving it away to friends. It appears to be Alpha's top-of-the-line multi and it sells for under $10. It's surprisingly good. I had it for 5 hours so far, and it doesn't seem to be ready to break yet.

I’m sorry for pushing this button once again. But maybe the strings?
I’m telling you this because I almost pulled the trigger on a exo3 tour 16x18 myself, but forced me to make an experiment first. Like I said in the past, I was getting wrist and elbow pain form the pros pro hitec multifiber… how was this possible right? The clone string of the MCS, THE most comfortable multi out there. My feelings was that it could not bet the same string, and know I know why.

Has you point, and rightly so, the construction of the string is, in fact, an exact copy of the mantis, but there is a faint difference. Not in the core wrap, that much I believe to be the same filament, but the goo substance that coats the string.
The smell is close, but not the same, the feeling is close at first, but then a drastic change happens over time. In the pros pro, the goo starts to fade away and the string remains playable, but it gets stiff as nails. Trying to move it with my fingers I get that plastic scratch feeling that I don’t like, and the string just becomes super uncomfortable, thus the wrist and elbow paint started.

My experiment was

2x head radical lite with full bed of pros pro HM and another with full bed of MCS at 22kg

2x Pro Kennex Redondo mid with full bed of both the pros pro and the mantis at 20kg

2 full weeks for both strings, playing and teaching every day (3/5 hours)

At the 2 weeks mark, the pros pro was getting my rested arm pain once again.. once moving to the mantis, after its 2 weeks trial the pain was disappearing by the hour (as the playability of the string) but it was definitely saving my arm. I cut the pros pro about a month ago already, and my pain is now but a faint muscle memory.

You have been using the iontec string lately do you not? You should be aware if it reaaaaly the same as the signum pro string…

Just saying… a string change (from its own clone string) saved my arm and my wallet.

That said, again the pros pro string is not a bad string, I gave me wrist and arm pain, but that was me, for someone that likes a firmer feel, just be sure to cut it out BEFORE its gets uncomfortable for you.

Just to recap, I've had this issue since I was using B5E/Thunder Blast last winter. Our facility was not run well and the clay courts were wet for months. The heavy balls did my arm in. I've played a few more hours per week lately and that is what I think is really bringing me to a tipping point.

I use the Discho Microfibre, not the Iontec. It probably is the 5th softest multi I've ever tried. I do have a set of natural gut coming tomorrow.

I'm also realizing after demoing something that I did not really believe until now. That extra 1/2" length really does put a bit more stress on the arm. The 7G is comfortable, I just think as I age my arm strength is not there for longer matches. The Exo is the next logical step down in weight. Plus, my game has been based on spin in the past. The Exo really brings my heavy topspin forehand back into the mix.

Ohhh
I did not know that!
But very much so yes, wet clay courts and heavy wet balls will do that to anyone’s arm, no doubt!
As for the extra length, I also suspect it from sometime now, it does give and extra bite and power in the forehand (forehand for most people at least), but I always felt that little bit extra pressure in preparation and contact you talk about.

Damn.. now you have the one racquet I have been dreaming about, let us know the main differences you experience in feel and power compared to your previous 7g.
I never tried, but just from specs alone, I believe the prince tours to be a very very fine frame indeed

Oh, and I will now drop my crazy/biased opinions on MCS vs ProsP HtM… I think I have made my point… no need to drag this out no more..

Wow, I played incredible with this racket last night. I'm going to put in an order for 3 of these bad boys today at TW. Going to throw these into these multis into the order. I'm pulling the trigger before lunch today, so if anybody has some last second suggestions, lemme know:

Welcome to da club!!! Love my EXO!!! Have 3 of them--one is strung w full DM at 55#and very controlled an spinny. Not as spinny as gut\poly--my fav setup w this frame. Right now loving pacific classic 16L/iontec black at 54/50.

Welcome to da club!!! Love my EXO!!! Have 3 of them--one is strung w full DM at 55#and very controlled an spinny. Not as spinny as gut\poly--my fav setup w this frame. Right now loving pacific classic 16L/iontec black at 54/50.

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You have been preaching to me about this frame for awhile now. I wrongly assumed the 18x20 demo of the Exo Tour would not be that different from the 16x18. It is like night and day. I'm still not sure I ever want to venture back to poly but of course if my arm ever gets better, there is no telling when or if I'll change my mind on that. Any good football games on tomorrow night?

You have been preaching to me about this frame for awhile now. I wrongly assumed the 18x20 demo of the Exo Tour would not be that different from the 16x18. It is like night and day. I'm still not sure I ever want to venture back to poly but of course if my arm ever gets better, there is no telling when or if I'll change my mind on that. Any good football games on tomorrow night?

You have been preaching to me about this frame for awhile now. I wrongly assumed the 18x20 demo of the Exo Tour would not be that different from the 16x18. It is like night and day. I'm still not sure I ever want to venture back to poly but of course if my arm ever gets better, there is no telling when or if I'll change my mind on that. Any good football games on tomorrow night?

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Hey Mikeler, how did you feel that the EXO Tour performs on serving? I have been following this frame for a while now also since the soft flex intrigues me. I am an 18x20 guy and would probably demo that version. Had a BB London tour for a while and just couldn't get the pop I needed on the serve. The BB was an 18x20, but also is a 90 square inch frame so that takes down the power a bit. Currently using a Prestige MG MP and the arm is hanging in there as long as I stick w/Multis.

For me, personally, I thought both EXO3 Tour 100 versions were ok on the serve but nothing exceptional. I did have to make adjustments for the extra spin you get from these racquets. My topspin serves were going into the net, but it was a simple matter for me to aim a little higher. The problem was fixed, and I got a little extra kick from it. My flat serves were about the same with this racquet as they were with most racquets.

For me, personally, I thought both EXO3 Tour 100 versions were ok on the serve but nothing exceptional. I did have to make adjustments for the extra spin you get from these racquets. My topspin serves were going into the net, but it was a simple matter for me to aim a little higher. The problem was fixed, and I got a little extra kick from it. My flat serves were about the same with this racquet as they were with most racquets.

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Interesting. I'm having the opposite problem with the demo I'm using. My 2nd serves are going slightly long as are quite a few rally balls. I think once I get my string and tension dialed in that will go away.

I'm really not used to this. A Saturday night watching football with no arm pain after playing for 2.5 hours this morning. Life is good!

I played the longest set of my life today. We showed up at 8 AM to warm up and did not finish until 9:52 AM. I think every game except for maybe 1 or 2 went to deuce and of course it went to extra innings in the tiebreak.

I will write full reviews for the new strings. I don't know if I'll try them sooner rather than later though.

As for the Exo Tour, I did not like the 18x20 demo. I prefer open patterns. The 16x18 feels like a totally different racket to me. Serves don't seem to be a problem with it.

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I am holding off buying a racket until Wilson brings out the new 16 x 15 pattern (January). It is suppose to be a 98 so plenty of space and should be easy to string.
Poly string plays great, but I always end up injuried and decided it was not worth it. Open pattern, 16 gauge Multi is a lot softer on the arm.

The Sensation really moves around in the Exo Tour. I'm wondering if the open pattern will be a mess with any multi.

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You're probably correct. You might even want to consider poly for that racquet. It will snap back into place, give you more spin, and the response won't be as springy. I tried the 18x20 version with full RPM Blast and it was still very comfortable. Of course, you'll have to cut it before it dies.

Fresh DM at 55# does not move at all--start to see some (slight) movement around the 5hr mark. You know how picky i am on the strang movement--do not like it!!:evil:

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OK, that is good to know. I figure with the open pattern plus the O-ports that string movement might be all over the place. I'm just scared of going back to poly. I'm batting 2 for 2 on arm problems with poly in the racket.

It's pretty unreal for me. I know taking a week off and then getting rained out of a few matches helped but the pain is barely there. I got brave and tried hitting a few 1 handers the last match but my arm is not ready for that yet.

Glad to hear it as well. Since the tour came out its been all the rave for comfort, power, and spin. I personally found it being toyish. I would have needed an oz of lead, but thinking that I could add an oz and still have it with in preferred specs is realllllyyy intriguing, but I've never been meticulous or math savvy enough to really get into it to the point of measuring every factor.

in my RDiS 200 I have 5g spread apart 3, 9, and 12 with 4g in the handle.

Are you thinking about adding lead to it? I'd love to see what that stick can do around the 12oz 7pts hl range. Oh right an get a video up of you hitting! lol. I wanna see your multi popping prowess.

Mike, what was your favorite string when it came to low powered, feel oriented multi? I don't believe string breakage is a problem for me.

I'm looking for something with a nice crisp feel that too.. I think a crisper string would compliment my racket well. I've been looking at midranged synthetics and they don't make my man parts tingle.

Glad to hear it as well. Since the tour came out its been all the rave for comfort, power, and spin. I personally found it being toyish. I would have needed an oz of lead, but thinking that I could add an oz and still have it with in preferred specs is realllllyyy intriguing, but I've never been meticulous or math savvy enough to really get into it to the point of measuring every factor.

in my RDiS 200 I have 5g spread apart 3, 9, and 12 with 4g in the handle.

Are you thinking about adding lead to it? I'd love to see what that stick can do around the 12oz 7pts hl range. Oh right an get a video up of you hitting! lol. I wanna see your multi popping prowess.

Mike, what was your favorite string when it came to low powered, feel oriented multi? I don't believe string breakage is a problem for me.

I'm looking for something with a nice crisp feel that too.. I think a crisper string would compliment my racket well. I've been looking at midranged synthetics and they don't make my man parts tingle.

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Right now, I'm not thinking of adding any lead to it. I'll probably add some head tape though. I have not been popping multis much with the Discho Microfibre. That is my favorite multi at the moment.

OK, here is my review in the TW format of the Wilson Sensation 16. Keep in mind this is with a brand new demo racket that I've never used before. I'll be labeling these reviews with a "B" designation on post #1.

I did not get to string this since it was a demo racket from a local store.

Tension it is strung: 60 pounds on an electronic machine full bed
Your regular string set up: Discho Microfibre 54 pounds full bed
String pattern of your racquet: 16 x 18
Power (or lack there of): Medium powered multi
Feel: Below average feel
Tension maintenance: I did not test it with RacquetTune but it seemed to drop ever so slightly with each use.
Price: $9.95
Overall comments and feedback: See below

General: This is just a ho-hum multi. It does not have any major weakness except touch shots but no real strengths either.

Serve/Return of Serve: I did not have the confidence to really rip returns. I typically tried deeper returns with plenty of net clearance and that worked OK.

Strokes: Decent spin on both wings. Depth control was a little hard to get dialed in. My forehand seemed to do well with this string but I really think it was more due to the new racket. I also served well with it.

Volleys: I don't think I missed a volley but I don't come up to net much anyways.

Touch shots: My drop shots were not finding the mark.

Softness: Feels fairly soft but again it could be that the Exo Tour is the softest frame out there.

Tension: Seemed about right for my game.

Durability: The strings looked like they had been barely used when I picked up the racket. I got 7 sets of singles and 1 set of dubs before they snapped.

Movement: String movement was terrible. OCD folks beware. One guy asked if I broke a string after one hit because the strings were so far apart.

Conclusion: There are better mid-priced multis out there than this one but it is a decent string nonetheless.

Please take a picture of both the front and back of package. Interested to see what the back says about the string. I got a free set of Gosen Remplir at GSSS and it looks very similar to the TecFlex but it isn't sold anywhere that I have found.